TO THE

REVEREND THE CLERGY

OF THE

ARCHDEACONRY OF COLCHESTER,

THE FOLLOWING

CHARGE,

DELIVERED TO THEM, AND PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQUEST,

Is Inscribed,

WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF RESPECT AND AFFECTION,

BY THEIR FAITHFUL SERVANT,

W. R. LYALL.

Hadleigh Rectory, Suffolk,

June 22nd. 1837.

A

CHARGE.

REVEREND BRETHREN,

In looking at the printed charges which in past times have been delivered by those filling the station in the Church which it is my lot to occupy, it has been the custom, as you may have observed, of my predecessors, on such occasions as the present, to call the attention of the Clergy, to the examination of some theological principle, or maxim of ecclesiastical polity, rather than to questions touching the temporal rights of the Church or the constitutional immunities which she has enjoyed, as one of the estates of the realm.

But it is our fortune to live in times which allow to the clergy, little leisure for merely speculative discussions. So many propositions are afloat affecting the welfare of the Church, in her external relations, that a dissertation

from this place, on an abstract point of Divinity, would, I fear, hardly be in unison with the prevailing tone of feeling, either of your minds or of my own.

I have never taken a desponding view, as many of you, my reverend brethren, are aware, either of the present state or of the future prospects of the Established Church; nevertheless, as regards some particular measures which are now either in progress or under consideration, it is hardly to be supposed that any considerate man can weigh the possible results without anxiety. Great as may be the confidence which we ought to repose, and which I am sure we do repose, in the wisdom and piety of those to whose hands the government of the Church is entrusted, yet we cannot reflect upon the importance of the interests which are at stake, and remember at the same time, how often in human affairs the results of experience contradict the clearest theoretical calculations, without some painful misgivings: especially when we observe how many of the propositions to which these remarks refer, have been brought under deliberation, simply in deference to popular opinion. I would not be thought to undervalue the importance of popular opinion, properly so called. But popular opinion and public opinion are two very different things, though they are often mistaken for each other. Certain it is that the former, at least, ought never be taken

into the counsels of the nation, nor be made an argument for any changes, either in Church or State, the wisdom of which is otherwise uncertain.

I do not believe that the clergy, as a body, are opposed to what are called reforms in the Church; but it cannot be supposed that we shall be favourable to any changes which have their rise in mere political considerations; or in considerations indeed, of any kind, having any other end than that of promoting the great cause in which we have enlisted. We can never forget that the Church of which we are ministers, and the revenues with which she is endowed, are not to be regarded as belonging to a party, but only as means, under the divine blessing, for advancing the kingdom of our Heavenly Master. That is the test by which the wisdom of every ecclesiastical institution must be tried, and which must determine the character of every projected amelioration. It is under this trust that all the property of the Church is held; and so long as this important end is the single object which is proposed, so long as it shall be plain that God's glory, and the spiritual welfare of the great body of the people will be advanced, the clergy will have no right, as they will feel no disposition, to complain. They may or they may not suffer loss or detriment, as individuals, under the changes which are contemplated; but in any